POWER PLAYS LIFT SCORPIONS TO WIN AT AUSTIN Three-goal second period huge in 4-3 win, 1-0 series lead

AUSTIN, Texas - The New Mexico Scorpions used three power play goals in the second period to build a 3-0 lead, and Tyler Baines scored what proved to be the game-winner early in the third to claim a 4-3 win over the Austin Ice Bats at Chaparral Ice Center. The win gives the Scorpions a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five Southwest Division Semifinals.

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Baines scored what proved to be the game-winner just 1:36 after Austin's Gerald Tallaire had trimmed the Scorpions' advantage from 3-0 to 3-2. Baines intercepted a pass from Kelly Smart inside the defensive zone and raced ahead through center ice. As he entered the zone, he faked a shot and cut from right to left, leaving an Austin defenseman in his wake before taking a low snap shot that beat Barnes to the glove side.

"I'd have to look at the tape to see what I actually did," said Baines. "I just made a move to the inside and took the shot. I guess it's true what they say, that 70 percent of goals go in along the ice."

The Ice Bats had chances throughout the remainder of the third but couldn't get any closer until Mike Gaffney added a power play goal with 17.8 seconds left to send Scorpions hearts fluttering, but the Ice Bats didn't threaten again in the final seconds. Luciano Caravaggio made 26 saves in the victory.

"I'm proud of these guys with where we've been and where we're at right now," said Scorpions coach Bill McDonald. "We have a long way to go, everybody knows that, but we're on an even keel and it's another night tomorrow."

The Ice Bats came out strong in the first period, but the Scorpions rebounded and actually controlled most of the play throughout the remainder of the period, outshooting Austin 9-6.

Penalties would play a huge role in the second period, as the Scorpions received five power plays to Austin's one, scoring three times with the man advantage. The Scorpions' onslaught began 1:48 into the stanza, just 13 seconds after Dan Price was sent off for interference. Ben Gorewich pounced on the rebound of Jasmin Roy's shot after the initial shot was dropped by an Austin defenseman right on to Roy's stick.

Arturs Kupaks made it 2-0 three minutes later with New Mexico enjoying a 4-on-3 advantage. The Scorpions' top scoring defenseman took a pass from Chris Richards in the high slot and ripped a shot between Barnes' legs. Peter Ambroziak extended the gap to 3-0 with another rebound goal with 3:09 left in the frame on yet another rebound after Barnes couldn't hold a Kupaks shot.

Dan Price gave the home fans something to cheer just 32 seconds after Ambroziak's goal, while Tallaire's goal 43 seconds into the third made it a one-goal game, until Baines stepped up.

"We stayed in front of the puck and did it pretty well," said McDonald. "The last nine minutes we frustrated them and stuck to our system."

"If anything, tomorrow will be a little more intense if it get any more intense," added Baines. "I'm sure they don't like losing in their own town. We're know they're going to come hard, but we have to weather to storm and hopefully pick up another one."

Game 2 between the teams is tomorrow night, also in Austin. Faceoff is 6:30 p.m. MST. Radio coverage for Game 1 at Austin begins with Scorpions Pregame on SportsRadio 610 The Sports Animal at 6:15 p.m.

Tickets for Game 3 at Tingley Coliseum will go on sale tomorrow morning at the Scorpions Team Store beginning at 10 a.m. Tickets are $12, $14, $17 and $25 for ALL Scorpions home playoff games and are available at the Scorpions Team Store, 6300 San Mateo Blvd. NE in Albuquerque, and all TicketMaster locations, including online at www.TicketMaster.com and charge-by-phone at (505) 883-7800. Season tickets, group discounts, voucher books are available by calling the Scorpions office at (505) 881-PUCK.